Norway and Japan PMs meet, discuss seafood trade

Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg has met with Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in Tokyo to honor the close relationship between the two countries. High on the agenda was how the nations could work closer together in the future, and further strengthen mutually beneficial trade relations, including within the seafood category.

“The visit marks an important step towards even stronger ties in the future. Japan and Norway already have a special relationship when it comes to seafood, and we are keen for this collaboration to continue evolving,” said Gunvar Lenhard Wie, country director for the Norwegian Seafood Council (NSC) in Japan.

Solberg also met with renowned sushi chef Tsutomu Shimamiya at his restaurant Sushizen in Ginza, and learned more about the Japanese sushi tradition and heritage. While she was there, she had the chance to try making some salmon sushi, becoming the first woman ever to step behind the sushi counter with the chef.

Solberg had earlier told the Norwegian national broadcaster NRK about the desire to further strengthen the bonds and mutually beneficial collaborations in the future with Japan.

“Japan is a large and important market for us, especially for export of seafood. Norway and Japan are strong seafood nations with many prospective areas of collaboration,” Solberg told NRK.